NFL Week 9 Injury Report – Early Games:

Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers

Falcons

Devonta Freeman is ready to roll and will start in Week 9 after dealing with a shoulder/neck injury this week. He got a “stinger” which is basically a minor nerve injury that recovers very quickly, as it did with Freeman. Expect no limitations on Sunday.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans

Colts

Andrew Luck (IR) has finally been placed on IR, ending his 2017 season before it ever began. The Colts will shut Luck down as he continues to rehab from his off-season shoulder surgery. The long-term effects of the complications from this surgery are difficult to explain given that details about why Luck has been in pain have not been released. Luck will attempt to return to full strength in 2018.

Texans

Deshaun Watson (IR) was unexpectedly placed on IR after tearing his right ACL in practice on Thursday while attempting to run a read option play. This is so unfortunate for a Houston team who was looking explosive as ever on offense. However, it appears as though The Texans have finally found their franchise QB. Barring any setbacks, Watson should be ready to go for the 2018 season. Of note, Watson also tore is ACL at Clemson, but this tear was in his left knee, which bodes well for his recovery from this most recent injury. One positive from this is that he’s already been through the rehab for this type of injury, so he knows what it takes to make a full recovery.

Lamar Miller was never in real danger of missing Week 9 with a knee injury. The Texans were just managing his reps this week in practice but was upgraded to a full participant on Friday. Expect Houston to lean heavily on Miller in a great matchup with the Colts after the recent loss of Deshaun Watson.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Bengals

Jaguars

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints

Buccaneers

Jameis Winston (Q) appears to be on track to play on Sunday after getting a full practice on Friday. He’s still dealing with soreness in his throwing shoulder after the AC joint sprain from a few weeks ago and then a subsequent bruised deltoid. Given these injuries and the fact that the Saints have been a very good defense this season, I’m looking for another option at QB if possible.

Adam Humphries (Q) has seen his activity in practice trend in the right direction throughout the week and will likely play with a rib injury. He got in a full practice on Friday, so I do expect him to be out there on Sunday.

Los Angeles Rams vs. New York Giants

Sterling Shepard is set to make his return to the field after missing the last few weeks with a sprained ankle. He should be in line for a huge target share the rest of the season, as he is the most talented WR left on the Giants’ roster.

Denver Broncos vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Broncos

Emmanuel Sanders (Q) has missed the last two weeks with a sprained ankle. He had a chance to play in Week 8 but was ultimately ruled out. After getting in limited practices all week, he again has a good shot to suit up against the Eagles. Given that Denver is traveling to Philly with Brock Osweiler under center and Sanders is coming off the injury, Sanders is a guy I’m avoiding in Week 9 if possible.

Eagles

Zach Ertz was added to the injury report in the middle of the week with tightness in his hamstring. However, he got in a full practice on Friday and was removed from the team’s final injury report. Given the tendency for hamstring injuries to linger, I’ll be watching Ertz closely on Sunday. Fro Week 9 though, he remains an elite option at the position.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans

Ravens

Jeremy Maclin (Q) played in Week 8 with the same shoulder injury he’s dealing with heading into Week 9, so he should be out there on Sunday. Owners will want to confirm at 11:30 am EST when the inactives are released.

Mike Wallace (Q) was added to the injury report with a back injury and is listed as questionable heading into Week 9. I do expect him to play though, as he got in a full practice on Friday.

Joe Flacco (Q) is expected to start in Week 9. He suffered a concussion on TNF in Week 8 but will clear the concussion protocol on Saturday. He practiced in full all week.

Titans

Delanie Walker (Q) suffered a bone bruise in his ankle in Week 7 and then got the bye week in Week 8 to recover. He was limited in practice this week, so he has a chance to play. However, bone bruises can be very painful to play through, so if Walker can’t go, the rookie, Jonnu Smith will start at TE.

Corey Davis is set to make his return to the field after missing the past month with a hamstring injury. He’s an intriguing player for the second half of the season, as the Titans could definitely use a big play threat on the perimeter. If he can stay healthy in the second half, he could be a league winner.

NFL Week 9 Injury Report – Late Games:

Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers

Pierre Garcon (IR) saw his season come to an end on Thursday evening when the Niners placed him on injured reserve with a neck injury. He injured the neck last week against the Eagles, but the injury didn’t seem to be serious as he was able to return later in the game for a few snaps.

Washington Redskins vs. Seattle Seahawks

Redskins

Jordan Reed (O) will miss Week 9 with a hamstring strain. He has dealt with hamstring injuries off and on throughout his career, so this strain is likely to require multiple weeks of rehab. Vernon Davis immediately becomes a TE1 until Reed returns.

Jamison Crowder (Q) is more likely to sit than play in Week 9 against Seattle with a hamstring injury. He didn’t practice at all this week and was quoted by the media stating that he lacked confidence in the hamstring and had a fear of re-injuring if he plays. Even if Crowder is active, he is a must-sit in Week 9 against the Legion of Boom.

Rob Kelley (Q) was limited in practice all week but should be fine for Week 9. He’s played in the past two games, and there haven’t been any reports of a setback. The Redskins continue to limit his workload during the week in an effort to keep him healthy for game action.

Oakland Raiders vs. Miami Dolphins

DeVante Parker (Q) hasn’t played since Week 5 with an ankle injury but is expected to play in Week 9 after practicing in full. With Jay Cutler also expected to return, Parker is a fine play this week with six teams on a bye.

Jay Cutler (Q) practiced in full after missing Week 8 with broken ribs. He even pushed to play in Week 8 but was ultimately ruled out. Matt Moore gave the Dolphins no choice but to go back to Cutler this week after Moore put up a goose egg and threw two pick-sixes against the Ravens in Week 8.

Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers

Lions

Kenny Golladay (Q) will likely miss MNF due to the hamstring injury he’s been dealing with for the past five weeks. He didn’t return to practice until Saturday. Owners desperate for a WR this week should look elsewhere.

I'm a sports and orthopedic physical therapist currently working in Burlington, VT. I've been a sports fan my entire life and when I became a PT, I decided to combine my two passions into one awesome hobby. My goal is to provide injury analysis and information so that you can win your next dynasty title. Follow me on twitter: @TheFantasyPT